Check Your U-Bolts

did anyone get compensation for time in the shop on repairs?

 

Some have been awarded extended platinum warranties, some have had monthly payments paid by toyota corporate, others have had money awarded to buy accessories. So I would not rule out other "incentives"--it's like hush money.

The hardest thing seems to be getting Toyota to simply FIX the issues.

 

so they well pay for the issues.. thank you that is
great

 

So should I have the u bolts checked for grease to be sure?

 

There are U-Joints (part of the drive shaft assemblies) that need periodic grease addition and may be low on grease from the factory. Not all Tacoma's have grease fittings on the U-Joints.

This thread is about the U-Bolts that hold the axle to the rear leaf-springs. The jury is still out on why (my opinion is normal relaxation) folks are checking how tight the nuts are (torque) and finding they turn some amount before they reach the specified torque. Mine turned a little, but not enough that I think there was a problem.

Some folks on this thread are intentionally mixing the two subjects for comedic effect (well, I assume that was the intent). You may know all this stuff already, but with 23 posts I'm assuming you are new here and I hate to see someone confused by our banter.

[Edit: There are other threads on the U-joints. I had mine checked and they took grease to fill. There's debate whether that indicates an issue or not, but better to be safe. Again, not all Tacoma's have fittings to grease the u-joints, so it may not apply to your truck)]

 

Thanks for explaining the difference. I go in Monday for the software update, and will ask if my u joints have grease fittings then. It helps to know what I'm talking about, so thanks again.
P.S: I do get caught up in the banter sometimes. It can be pretty entertaining. Have a good one!

 

It looks like you have the SR. I believe it's only the TRD Off-Road models that have zerk fittings on the u-joints to allow greasing (the other's are sealed). I'm not positive, but I wouldn't be surprised if they say you don't have zerks so they can't add grease.

 

I have a TRD Sport 4x4 with serviceable u-joints.

 

You're right, I have the SR. Sounds like I don't have to worry about it. Thanks for the info!

 

I have a TRD Off Road and only found zerks on the front drive shaft u joints. I couldn't find any on the rear driveshaft U joints. Are they hidden or is that just the way it is?

 

You're about the third person I seen mention lack of zerks on their 4x4 rear driveshaft.
Apparently, Toyota has changed this recently.

 

If you've rotated the driveshaft one complete time and don't see any, then they took them off. They will all be on the same side.

 

Might need to move the truck forward or backwards some to get to the aft driveshafts zerks. Front easy since you can just rotate it by hand.

 

I have a 4x4 SR, and can confirm mine came with 5 zerks. Best way to know is crawl under it yourself and look.

EDIT - Also need to get off my ass and check my u-bolts. Don't have a torque wrench (yet), but I imagine it's pretty easy to tell if it meets the German torque spec of 'gutentight' or not.

 

Yay! Merica!

 

don't guess, wait until you have a torque wrench.

 

Back to ubolts, installed Icon AAL with my stage4 today, forward ubolt both sides were loose, I mean loose, surprised they did not worked themselves off....aft ubolt were torqued. WTF? we were warned I was just too damn lazy to crawl under the truck until I had too.

 

Mine were at around 37... I did them up to 54 just to be safe. I used to have a clunk when I would go from a coast to acceleration and now its smooth. I think it was def loose from the factory. I even asked them to check the u joints and bolts when I had the TSB done for the Trans.

 

Well my goodness i do have torque wrench better check these and because the third member and transfer case have already been replaced in this truck it could be possible for a certified Toyota wrench to look at these bolts but i really cant confirm this.

 

Does doing this apply to the SR5 models? If so what should they be torqued to?